Householders in Keighley have been warned to be on their guard against rogue traders offering cheap house repairs or gardening work.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service issued the warning after receiving a number of complaints from people who have paid out for botched or unfinished jobs.

The rogue traders generally get work by calling door to door, offering to repair parts of the house, such as roofs and gutters.

They quote prices much cheaper than genuine tradesmen and usually insist on payment in cash.

Many of those targeted by the cowboy traders have been taken in by the professional looking business cards they carry with them.

But a close examination of the card often shows just a mobile phone number with no address, making it difficult to locate and identify traders, especially when trying to get compensation for a bad job.

Martin Wood, chief trading standards officer, said: "Our advice is not to have work done if you are approached by odd-jobbers in the street.

"However, if anyone is currently having work done by an itinerant trader, on no account should they pay until the work is completed and has been fully examined."

The trading standards office advises people needing work done to use tradesmen who are recommended or are members of a recognised trade association.

Consumers concerned about rogue traders or other issues should contact the West Yorkshire consumer helpline on 0113 384 8848.